No private individual in South Africa currently has foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to sell or may legally sell these vaccines. Farmers are warned about opportunists who want to steal their money.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
This past week private individuals started advertising on social media and other platforms that they have large quantities of FMD vaccines and that farmers can place orders for vaccines with them and pay for it.
In one of the advertisements on a Facebook group that was brought to the attention of the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), a “respected person” advertised he has hundreds of thousands of doses of vaccine in his possession and farmers can order from the person.
Dewald Olivier, chief executive officer of the RMIS, says no private individual in the country currently has the right to sell vaccines. “Don’t let anyone tell you they have vaccines they can sell – it is not the truth at this stage. It is very important to work through your veterinarian.”
Olivier further advises farmers to contact the RMIS or their representatives from the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) if they are unsure about vaccines being offered to them. “And if your veterinarian doesn’t know, he or she will know who to contact that can tell them what the current situation is.”
Also read: What RMIS and Biogénesis Bagó’s new FMD partnership means for livestock producers
FMD vaccine from Kenya
Meanwhile, the investigation into the FMD vaccine from Kenya that was illegally imported into the country last year continues. This vaccine contains the A and O strains of the virus, which do not occur in South Africa. Vaccinating animals with it could cause these new strains of the virus to spread in the country and the local cloven-hoofed animal population does not have natural immunity to it.
Olivier says that since the investigation began, more vaccines have been imported from Kenya, and an investigation is also underway in this regard.
“This (the Kenya vaccine) is illegal, because it does not comply with South African requirements. Vaccines (coming into the country) must comply with South Africa’s requirements. So, it is not as simple as just walking into a shop and saying I’m buying vaccine.”
Also read:
Interpol joins investigation into illegal FMD vaccine smuggling from Kenya
Aucamp’s out of court settlement opens door for direct import of FMD vaccines
KZN passes halfway mark in FMD vaccination campaign – seventh district completed
Free State introduces strict FMD biosecurity rules for IEC voter registration on farms
